Undertones

The Undertones are a punk rock/New Wave band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1975. From 1975 to 1983, the Undertones originally consisted of Feargal Sharkey (lead vocals), John O'Neill (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Damian O'Neill (lead guitar, backing vocals), Michael Bradley (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Billy Doherty (drums). Although much of the earlier Undertones material drew influence from punk rock and new wave, the Undertones also incorporated elements of rock, glam rock and post-punk into material released after 1979, before citing soul and Motown as the influence for the material released on their final album. The Undertones released thirteen singles and four studio albums between 1978 and 1983 before Sharkey announced his intention to leave the band in May 1983, citing musical differences as the reason for the break up. The group had been set to reform to play at Peel's 50th birthday party in August 1989, but had to cancel due to a family bereavement.

In November 1999, the Undertones reformed but upon Sharkey declining, they replaced Sharkey with fellow Derry native, Paul McLoone who in addition to being the group's new and permanent frontman is also a DJ with the Irish national and independent radio station, Today FM.

The Undertones are still together to this day, often performing gigs all over the world with McLoone serving as the current frontman.

They also remain the most successful band to have emerged from Derry and also one of the most successful bands to have emerged from Northern Ireland.

16 December 1989 (BFBS) (Peel 127 (BFBS)): 'Rock 'N' Roll (LP-The Peel Sessions Album)' (Strange Fruit) (JP: 'I was thinking you know as that was playing how interesting it is that the little snobberies that one is guilty of, however hard you try not to be, I would never have played the original of that, by Gary Glitter, because it would have been dead uncool, but it's alright to play it by the Undertones....Odd that, really. I should be ashamed of meself.')

10 October 1996 (BFBS): 'Teenage Kicks (7")' (Good Vibrations) (JP: 'Still get a lump in me throat every time I hear that, you know...The Pig has promised that it'll be played at my funeral: let's hope that isn't too soon, although I must admit with this cold, I feel as though it could come within the next few minutes. Well, next week or so anyway.')